My son has been accepted to a number of schools which are starting to send their financial aid packages. He has received merit scholarships, some small grants and Federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans. They are all over the board depending on the school. Some of the merit scholarships like a “presidential” was not the full amount of the listed scholarship on the web site. We will have to take some loans to help him. I have been told that we should negotiate with the schools but I am not sure how to approach it. Has anyone done this and should we email, write a letter or call the financial aid offices? Any suggestions would be helpful!!
Why not ask the person who told you to do that?
First, never use the word ‘negotiate’ with the colleges.Yes different colleges have varying amount available. Awards can also depend highly on where your son sits stats-wise in the application pool.
I would check why your Presidential award wasn’t the same as listed on the website. You can do that with an email. The first step in seeing what you can do is understanding the award. Second step is getting all the packages and comparing apples to apples and your net cost.
Are the schools “peer schools”? (similar rankings?) Which schools are they?
What are your child’s stats?
Which school is the one with the presidential award that is too small?
OP- be aware that many schools package their merit scholarships differently depending on financial need. So the maximum “merit award” may also reflect a need-based packaged which you may not have been eligible for.